SXSW 2018 Memories
Experiencing SXSW as a photographer, entrepreneur, designer, content creator and so many other things was in a word — AWESOME!!!
Panels galore! Whatever your interest, passion, affinity there is probably a panel or keynote related to it! SXSW is a Conference, Film Festival, Music Festival, Gamers Paradise all rolled into more than a week of excitement. Any genre of music you like there is at least one band, singer or both there whether local, national or international. If you are going the SXSW app and website are your best friends and your best bet is to review everything, make at least a skeleton plan, set up alerts and get to as many events as you possibly can.
This event is also a marketing blitzkrieg! Any brand that you want you to know about it is there! Whether they are sponsoring a panel or event, exhibiting in the expo hall, using a street team to spread the word – handing out merch, drawing you into a happy hour – event space – multimedia hub or any other space intended to inundate you with their brand and make you aware of its existence. Amazingly enough even cities, states and countries promote tourism to draw you to their part of the world and experience all they have to offer.
The SXSW Film Festival is not to be slept on! Action, documentary, drama, romance, comedy…whatever your film genre it’s there. Indie films and larger studios screen at SXSW. And many get advance passes or line up to see them…so govern yourself accordingly and be sure to make a plan to see all films you want to see. For me the favorite film was A Tuba to Cuba the story of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band and their connection to the music and soul of Cuba. In this film documents the band’s efforts, trials and tribulations to raise money to take instruments to Cuba. The cinematography beautifully captures their journey delivering the instruments, connecting with musicians throughout the island nation and playing music melding each group’s musical styles to make beautiful music together. The film concluded with a great Q&A then the crowd was led out of the theater with a second line performance which poured out into the street and “second lined” down several blocks throughout the city.
Bring your walking shoes! For me having the right shoes…or not was responsible for me seeing Preservation Band perform later than night!
It was my last night in Austin and I planned to attend the showcase at Stubbs BBQ featuring August Green, Tank and the Bangas and a few other bands. I lucked up found a place to park just 3 short blocks away. When I got in line things looked promising, I had my gear and was ready to shoot. Lines for admission had formed for the various badge types. Music and Platinum badges got priority and any other badge holders were in secondary lines. My badge was Interactive and two hours later there I stood on gravel with a line of folks who were no longer strangers as familiarity set in the longer we stood and talked.
My feet had begun to ache an hour before as I shifted my weight from left to right. Again things looked promising as the other line had diminished and the show hadn’t yet started…but alas it was just an illusion as the priority line moved and got longer! And my feet said No Mas so to the SXSW App I went to look for other options.
Low and behold just a block away Preservation Hall Jazz Band was soon to perform. To the car I retreated, changed shoes and was refreshed for the rest of the evening and ready to enjoy Preservation and they did not disappoint!!! The set was great, the band members were awesome and animated – well dressed chaps!
This concert was a great way to wrap up a wonderful week of enlightenment and inspirational experiences!